A Pleasure Trip to Nandi Hills by the Sr.citizen's Forum in White House Apartments.

A Pleasure Trip to Nandi Hills by the Sr.citizen's Forum

-    P.Natarajan, B1-304 ‘White House’                                           Dated: June 10, 2015

I share with all of you the reminiscences of the picnic trip to Nandi Hills. Sr.Citizens’ Forum at White House arranged it for the benefit of the members. 12 people participated which included 3 families - viz  Natarajans,  Varadarajans  and  Krishnans.

The members assembled at 6.30 a.m. on Wednesday, the 27th May 2015 at the main gate of White House. Hot coffee was served before boarding the 13 seater a/c tempo traveler.

We reached the first stop Ghati Subramanya Temple located in Doddaballapur  by 8.45 a.m. The uniqueness of this 600 year old temple is that the prime deity Lord Karthikeya is found  together with Lord Narasimha. They both emerged from the earth as swayambu. Naga Idol worship is also important here. Childless couples are blessed with a child and they install a Naga idol. Thousands of Naga idols are seen at the back of the temple in a sprawling yard.

The idol of Karthikeya with a seven headed cobra. is made from a single stone. It faces eastward and Lord Narasimha faces westward. A mirror is placed in the rear in the sanctum sanctorum to enable the devotees to see both the deities at the same time.

After darshan, we all had b/f - pongal, vada, idly and chutney. Hot coffee followed.

We proceeded 24 k.m from Ghati Subramanya Temple to reach Nandi Hills. On the way to Nandi Hills, we also visited an ancient Kailasanathar temple.

We had to climb 8 k.m. from the foot of the hills by negotiating 40 hairpin bends. As we reached the top of the hill, we realized a sharp decline in the mercury levels. The atmosphere was refreshing and pleasant.  A cool breeze was blowing at regular intervals even though it was a sunny day.

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( Fort Entrance of Nandi Hills )

Nandi Hills is an ancient hill fortress in Chikkaballapur District, 60 k.m. from Bangaluru. It is believed Yoga Nandishwara did penance here - hence the name Nandi Hills. The shape of the hill is in the form of a Nandi. It is 4850 feet above sea level. Stone carvings are a popular tourists site. We saw replicas of turtles, crocodiles in stones. The vegetation is typically of high hills like eucalyptus, coffea arabica, herbs, etc. We also had a look at the rock walls which had grooves for placing the cannons.

     We  visited Nehru Nilaya where Jawaharlal Nehru used to stay. There is also a Gandhi

      house which is now reserved for stay for important dignitaries. We visited Tippu’s Drop -       the   famous place where from Tipu Sultan had his condemned prisoners thrown to death. Another tourists spot was Tipu’s Summer Palace where Tipu used to spend the summer. Nandi hills is a cyclists paradise and a preferred training ground for biking in the angular hill grounds.

Some members took rest under the shadows and a few went around the hills in groups. Shiva Parvathi temple was one of the sightseeing location in the Hills which is situated in a cave like structure. We worshipped in the temple Lord Ganesha, Karthikeya besides Shiva and Parvathi.

The vehicle stopped at a scenic spot. We had a bird’s eye view of  the valley. The valley is dotted with houses, tall buildings and green fields. Photos taken on the occasion are attached for pleasure viewing.

( Panoramic view of Nandi Hills from the road side )

Lunch was arranged in the Mayura Restaurant situated in the  resort. Roti, two side dishes, rice and curd constituted the menu.. We all rested after meals enjoying the cool ambience.

The return trip began sometime after 3p.m.  The picnic trip was enjoyable. M/s..Krishnan, Govindarajan and Dr. Durairaj entertained the members by singing yesteryear film music. The ladies sang devotional music.

It was 4.30 p.m when we returned to White House. An enjoyable picnic trip indeed. Thanks to the organizers Mr.Govindarajan and Dr.Durairaj. We missed Mr.M.S.Krishnan who was infusing consistently the idea of a picnic trip to be undertaken by the Sr.Citizens’ Forum. But he could not make it this time due to some minor inconveniences.

The picnic trip to Nandi Hills was a great success. William Wordsworth poem on Nature flashes in my mind at this moment :-

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.)

pn